Analysing Socio-economic Backwardness among Muslims

Underdevelopment turns not only into indirect violence but also injustice. Merely systemic weakness causes redistributional problem, whereas exclusion of an individual or group(s) based on their identity converts non-development into injustice.

Since independence, Muslims as a ­social-religious group have gradually been pushed to the periphery of development. Contrary to the right-wing ­political rhetoric against ‘‘secular’’ union governments of being minority appeaser, community as a whole is lagging on all socio-economic development indicators. Many commissions and scholarly works have proven this fact beyond doubt. This book too concludes that “Persistence of disparities of this magnitude also underlines the failure of state initiatives … Apparent discrimination by state institutions makes their lives less optimistic and hopeful.” However, it must be noted that underdevelopment among Muslims is not a uniform but a heterogeneous phenomenon. The intra-community development status is shaped by the historical events, class and caste position. A confluence of these factors to produce inequality among Muslims is the focus of this book. However, while doing so, the book has restricted itself with the outcome, that is, inequality, rather than its causes. However, it can be construed from the subtitle of the book that one is linked with others.